Dorsey, Thomas A

Dorsey, Thomas A(ndrew)

(born July 1, 1899, Villa Rica, Ga., U.S.—died Jan. 23, 1993, Chicago, Ill.) U.S. songwriter, singer, and pianist, the “father of gospel music.” Born the son of a revivalist preacher, Dorsey was influenced by blues pianists in the Atlanta area. After moving to Chicago in 1916, he appeared under the name of “Georgia Tom,” became a pianist with Ma Rainey, and composed secular “hokum” songs (those peppered with risqué double entendres). He wrote his first gospel song in 1919, and in 1932 he abandoned the blues completely and founded the Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago. His more than 1,000 gospel songs include “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Peace in the Valley,” and “If We Ever Needed the Lord Before.” He recorded extensively in the early 1930s. Many of his songs were introduced by Mahalia Jackson. He founded and directed the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.